# How Much Does a Funeral Cost When You Already Own the Plot?
Planning a funeral is one of the most difficult conversations families have to face, and the financial aspect can feel overwhelming. If you’re fortunate enough to already own a cemetery plot, you’re in a better position than many families, but there are still significant costs to consider. Understanding what you’ll actually pay when you already have the burial space secured can help you prepare emotionally and financially for this inevitable expense.
## Understanding the Baseline Costs
When you already own a cemetery plot, you’re eliminating one of the largest expenses in a traditional funeral. Cemetery plot costs can range significantly depending on location and the cemetery itself, so having this secured already puts you ahead. However, the plot ownership is just one piece of the puzzle. The actual funeral service involves many other components that will still require payment.
The median cost of a traditional funeral with viewing and burial in the United States is around $7,360 [4]. However, this figure includes the cemetery plot and related fees. Since you already own your plot, you can subtract the cemetery costs from this total, which means your actual funeral expenses would be considerably lower than this median figure.
## Breaking Down the Individual Costs
When you already own the plot, here’s what you’ll typically still need to pay for:
The removal of remains, which involves transferring the body from the place of death to the funeral home, costs around $325 [4]. This is a necessary first step and cannot be avoided regardless of whether you own your plot.
Embalming is another significant expense at approximately $725 [4]. It’s important to understand that embalming is not legally required if the body is immediately buried or cremated, but it is strongly recommended if you plan to have a viewing or funeral ceremony. Many families choose to have this service performed to allow loved ones to see the deceased in a more natural state.
Body preparation services, which include washing the body, clothing, makeup, and hair styling, typically cost around $250 [4]. This helps ensure that your loved one looks peaceful and dignified for the viewing and funeral service.
The viewing and ceremony fees are substantial and include rental charges for the funeral home venue and staff labor costs. These fees typically total around $425 for visitation and $500 for the funeral ceremony [4]. The exact amount depends on the type of ceremony you choose, the size of the space needed, and the location of the facility. If you plan to serve food during the reception, you’ll need to add extra money to this budget.
The casket is traditionally the largest single expense in a funeral. Caskets range dramatically in price, from simple pine boxes to elaborate gold caskets, with an average cost of around $2,400 [4]. However, you have flexibility here. You can choose a more modest casket to reduce costs, or you can select a premium option if that’s important to your family.
## The Real Savings When You Own Your Plot
By already owning your cemetery plot, you’re avoiding what would typically be a substantial additional cost. Cemetery plot fees vary widely by location and cemetery, but they represent a significant portion of overall funeral expenses. This means that instead of paying the full median funeral cost of $7,360, you could potentially be looking at costs closer to $5,000 to $6,000 for the essential services and casket.
To put this in perspective, if the median funeral cost is $7,360 and cemetery plot costs typically range from $1,000 to $3,000 or more depending on location, you’re already saving a considerable amount. Your actual out-of-pocket expenses would be limited to the services, embalming, casket, and other funeral home fees.
## Regional Variations Matter
It’s crucial to understand that funeral costs vary significantly based on where you live. The National Funeral Directors Association has documented these regional differences. In New England, the median cost for a traditional funeral is $8,985, while in the Mountain region (which includes Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming), the median is $7,390 [2]. The East South Central region (Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee) has a median of $7,615 [2].
These regional differences mean that your actual costs will depend heavily on your location. A funeral in New England will cost more than one in the Mountain region, even when you already own your plot. This is why it’s important to contact funeral homes in your specific area to get accurate quotes for your situation.
## Additional Costs to Consider
Beyond the basic funeral service components, there are other expenses that can add up. Certified copies of the death certificate often cost extra and are necessary for settling the estate and handling insurance claims. Flowers, clergy honorarium, musicians, memorial videography, and obituary filing are all considered additional costs that will need to be added to your overall budget [4].
Some families also choose to have a memorial service separate from the funeral, which would involve additional venue rental and service fees. Others may want to include a reception with food and beverages, which can significantly increase costs depending on the number of guests and the type of refreshments provided.
## Comparing Your Options
If you’re trying to minimize costs while you already own your plot, you have options. A direct burial, which is a basic burial without embalming or formal service, costs an average of $5,138 [5]. However, this figure may still include some cemetery fees. Since you already own your plot, your direct burial costs would be even lower, potentially in the $3,000 to $4,000 range depending on what services you choose to include.
Some families opt for cremation instead of burial, even when they own a plot. Full-service cremation costs an average of $6,241 [2], while direct cremation costs only about $2,202 [5]. If you choose cremation, you could use your cemetery plot for a memorial service or to bury the cremated remains in an urn, which would be a much less expensive option than a traditional burial.
## Planning Ahead Makes a Difference
The fact that you already own your cemetery plot demonstrates that you or your family has been thinking ahead about funeral planning. This is wise because it removes one major expense from the equation. However, it’s still important to have conversations with your family about other preferences and to get quotes from local funeral homes.
When you contact funeral homes in your area, be sure to tell them that you already own your plot. This information is important because it affects the total cost they’ll quote you. Ask for an itemized breakdown of all costs so you understand exactly what you’re paying for. Some funeral homes may try to include cemetery fees in their quote even though you don’t need them, so it’s important to clarify this upfront.
## The Emotional and Financial Reality
More than four in 10 Americans would have to take out a loan or charge a credit card to pay for a family funeral
